By RaptortalkSome will say it’s too early to pass judgement on Jay Triano after only three regular season games as the Raptors head coach. I see it differently. I view Jay Triano as someone who has been coaching the Raptors for 78 games and his overall record is less than stellar. In fact, I’ll go a step further and say that Jay Triano may very well be Colangelo’s “Hoffa” – a very bad managerial move that needs to be corrected sooner than later. ... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalk: It’s two games in and we already know this new Raptor team will frustrate us to no end - just like the old Raptors. First they won an improbable game against LeBron and the Cavs, only to follow-up with a stinker loss to Memphis.So what have we learned so far and how do we grade the Raptors? So Jay, do you have any idea as to what you want me to do on the court? Bosh: 'A' – Mr. Double/Double is still our franchise player. He can score and he can rebound. D... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalkPreseason is done for the Toronto Raptors and there remain more questions than answers with the squad. While I am generally apt to put a positive spin on events in Raptorland, my Jalen-Rose colored glasses are a little clouded as the season opener approaches. Here are list of 6 questions (one for each preseason loss) that concern me, followed by the answers – which don’t necessarily fill me with confidence, either. Q1: Should a 2-6 preseason re... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalk:Earlier this summer, Andrea Bargnani signed a contract extension with the Toronto Raptors for a reported 5 years/ $50 million. The cynics panned the signing as an over-payment for a guy who has only performed well for a 60 game stretch and otherwise had under-performed. So when reports surfaced claiming that Portland had just inked PF LaMarcus Aldridge to a 5 year/ $65 million extension, I decided to do a little investigation into the numbers to determine i... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalkGoing into this season, the Raptors new defensive philosophy was to protect an area which covers the paint and extends past the free throw line. No one and I mean no one would be allowed to score in that area called the ‘house’. Well, the brilliant new defensive strategy to pack 'the house' has backfired two games in a row as the Raps let easy three balls rain down against Boston and Houston. Shane Battier exploited the Raptors Achilles heel and shot 88% beyond the arc whil... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalkEven though it’s only preseason, the Raptors delivered pizza to the faithful on Thanksgiving Sunday afternoon by scoring an improbable 30 points in an exciting 4th quarter to finish with exactly 100 points.I came away from the ACC very excited about this newest incarnation of your Toronto Raptors. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this team is very different from any Raptors squad we've seen in years. While turkey is on the menu today, Sunday's game was not a... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalkTwo games into preseason and two losses, but no need to panic. Let’s wait for Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu to make an appearance before getting worried that my prediction of 50 wins ain’t never gonna happen. The Raptors still need name tags, because no one knows the other guy. Basketball is a team game based on how the team performs as a unit – a cohesive unit where timing and understanding your teammates is everything. Right now the Raptors really don’t understand each oth... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalkLook, I know we haven’t seen the new look Toronto Raptors play even a single pre-season game, never mind one that counts. But I just have a good feeling about the 2009-2010 edition of the Raptors.The Raptors certainly look good on paper and GM Bryan Colangelo is cautiously optimistic that his dinos can win 50 games this year. You know what? Count me in. I am ready to join the Raps' GM bandwagon and make the bold pre... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalkAs training camp in Ottawa approaches, there is a level of excitement in Raptorland that we have not seen in years. We’ve been disappointed before, so the expectations of Raptors fans are somewhat tempered.Having said that, I certainly feel good going into the 2009-2010 season. One guy who we’re sure is feeling good is DeMar DeRozan – even though he’s likely a little apprehensive based on the pressures of being the #1 draft pick in Toronto - where NBA fans can be ruthless. ... Read Full Story
By RaptorTalk My travels over the past weeks have taken me from Los Angeles to New York with a few stops in between. While my summer has been a bit of a whirlwind, it is nothing like what Bryan Colangelo has gone through as he remade the Toronto Raptors. I still have to pinch myself to think that what seemed so bleak a few months ago now looks so promising today.To be honest, I have not been this pumped about a Raptors season since before the Hakeem Olajuwon era was supposed to be... Read Full Story
